December 15th is the deadline for Obamacare coverage in January

Enrollment experts in Milwaukee continue to report a greater interest in coverage under the Affordable Care Act, compared to last year’s open enrollment period. To meet the demand for help in signing up, a special enrollment event is scheduled for Thursday, December 15 at Independence First, 540 South 1st Street from 9 am to 4 pm.

“The most recent federal numbers showed Wisconsin had a 15% enrollment increase in the health insurance Marketplace compared the same timeframe last year,” notes Caroline Gomez-Tom of the Milwaukee Enrollment Network. “Because of the strong demand for help in signing up for Obamacare and Medicaid, we are encouraging consumers to dial 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment with an enrollment assister, or attend the special events scheduled at Independence First and select Milwaukee Public Libraries.”

In advance of the December 15 deadline for Marketplace coverage in January, enrollment assisters will also be available at the Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave. on Monday, December 12 from 4 to 7 pm, and at the Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave. on Tuesday, December 13 from 4 to 7 pm.

The Milwaukee Enrollment Network reminds consumers to be prepared when signing up for healthcare coverage, and to have the following information about themselves and their household:

§social security numbers and document numbers for legal immigrants for every person in the home who needs coverage

§employer and income information for the household (from pay stubs or W-2 forms)

§policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of the household

Consumers can learn more about enrollment in the Marketplace as well as Medicaid, by visiting healthcare.gov or calling the Health Insurance Marketplace national call center at 1-800-318-2596 (open 24 hours, 7 days a week). To get connected to free, in-person enrollment assistance in Milwaukee County, consumers should dial 2-1-1.